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Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 06/09/2009 - NORTH COLLEGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UPDATE: PHASE I DATE: June 9, 2009 STAFF: Jennifer Petrik WORK SESSION ITEM Kathleen Bracke FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL Pre-taped staff presentation: available at fcgov.com/clerk/agendas.php SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION North College Improvement Project Update: Phase II - Vine to Conifer. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City has initiated the North College Avenue Improvements Project from Vine Drive north to the Hickory/Conifer intersection in accordance with the voter-approved Building on Basics (BOB) capital improvement program. Additional project funding has been secured by the City from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The project schedule has been accelerated in response to requests from the North Fort Collins Business Association and area property/business owners. The purpose of this work session is to provide a project overview and status report for Council. GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED 1. What feedback would City Council like to share with staff, CDOT and/or the North Fort Collins Business Association regarding the North College Improvement project and the alternative analysis process? 2. Is there additional information that Council would like to see staff provide as part of the North College project process? BACKGROUND In 2005, Fort Collins voters approved a 1/4 cent sales tax to fund capital projects — Building on Basics (BOB). One of the transportation projects funded through this package is "North College Avenue Improvements PhaseIl — Vine Drive to Conifer." This project is the next phase of the improvements that were initially funded through the Building Community Choices (BCC) capital plan. The prior BCC program funded improvements from Jefferson to Vine Drive. Please see Attachment 1 for a map of the project area. June 9, 2009 Page 2 The 2005 BOB ballot language included the following project description: "North College Avenue Improvement Phase II—Vine Drive to Conifer The project will provide for the re-design of North College Avenue to bring the road to current arterial standards from Vine Drive to Conifer Street and for the acquisition of right-of-way needed for construction along North College Avenue. Construction will include curb, gutter and minor street patching;redefinition and consolidation of driveway; bike lanes and sidewalks, new streetscape and other necessary improvements." The voter-approved BOB funding provides approximately $4.8 million for this phase of the North College project. In addition to the BOB funding, the City has secured an additional $885,000 in federal funding from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFR MPO) to help cover costs associated with the bicycle, pedestrian, streetscape, and safety improvements. Project Coordination Throughout the development of the North College/US287 design project,the City's Transportation Planning department is working closely with other City departments such as Traffic Operations, Advance Planning, Current Planning, Finance, Engineering, Stormwater, Utilities, Transfort, Historic Preservation, and Art in Public Places. The City is also working with local and regional stakeholders such as the North Fort Collins Business Association (NFCBA), the North College Urban Renewal Authority (URA), area property/business owners, City boards and commissions, City Council, CDOT, Colorado Motor Carriers Association, and other interested stakeholders to develop a recommended design package that meets the many important local and regional needs of this corridor. Planned improvements for the corridor include installation of curb and gutter, consolidation of driveways, improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities, new streetscape design, and other necessary improvements such as stormwater facilities. The project report will include a prioritized list of projects that can be implemented in phases based upon current and future funding resources. Attachments 2 and 3 illustrate bicycle/pedestrian and streetscape design options under consideration. In addition, a City staff team from Advance Planning, Transportation, and Utilities is coordinating with the URA Citizen Advisory Group to develop a comprehensive Capital Improvement Program (CIP)that outlines all of the infrastructure needs (transportation, storm drainage, utilities, etc.)and potential funding strategies for the larger North College area. The input received during the development of the North College street improvement project will be incorporated into this overall CIP report. Public Outreach The public outreach process includes three public open house meetings (April, May, and July) as well as individual property and business owner meetings throughout the project. At the request of the NFCBA,a special"hands-on"workshop was held in May to develop possible conceptual design alternatives for the corridor. Project presentations are scheduled for the Transportation Board and June 9, 2009 Page 3 other boards and commissions in May, June and July. Another Council work sessions is scheduled for July 28, 2009. Project Schedule The current project schedule includes the following timeline: • 2009 Phase I, Planning, community engagement, visioning, alternatives analysis, selection of preferred alternative, and development of prioritized phasing plan for implementation. • 2009/2010 - Phase II, Project development, engineering, rights-of-way acquisition • 2011 Phase III, Construction begins Next Steps Staff is not asking Council to make a formal recommendation for a preferred alternative at this time. Once staff has received additional input from the Council, boards and commissions and the community, this item will be presented for a work session on July 28 for review of the preferred alternative and phasing implementation plan. In addition, staff plans to provide funding options for Council consideration. Staff will request formal approval of the preferred alternative, phasing implementation plan, and proposed funding strategies at the September 1 Council meeting. Staff will continue to work with the project team, including CDOT and the NFCBA, and the area property/business owners to develop the preferred alternative and phasing plan for the North College corridor improvements. Additional public outreach opportunities and presentations to various City Boards and Commissions will continue over the next two months. More detailed information regarding the North College Improvement Project is available on-line at: www.fc,f4ov.com/northcoliege. ATTACHMENTS 1. Map of project area 2. Bicycle/Pedestrian Options 3. Large images of draft design alternatives 4. Powerpoint presentation 5. Transportation Board minutes, May 20, 2009. c __ _ l HICKOF�' T r".G_' a� CONIFER ST y , 4 , a r HEMLO • 09T ILA" Via► + ' , s _ PI' O ST -r WC Phase 11 i • ' ' Y Poudre R,to Hickory / Conifer In rse�on j t OSIANf)ER ST J A •.k ' AL E ST-' w . � z A CqJ ETgN ST O o m ?� + • r� OCfip w , .ir. . +Z Ik1G'pR w PASCAL ST LU w map t .• ,fir` VINE DR * . , ' � •� ,.:} ".'.{{< '�� ,� �L. p . � ;�, ;� `.�+Y�'.. ,tip . . �' : � 7 .tom i •.t '�iF �. �g .Y' -M{/"¢�1T e ' - . + La IL ,► I 1 Lee Martinez Park ` s +� �,' P_ • + !„ a a i t ,,� ] ! � � y •'. � ,Kai •{ . a + �,� •�s � I a�,fM1T if , Phase 1 Jefferson St to Poudre River • a •+ter• I � :R` �' - � 11 • � j t r CHERRY ST si / i� S$ co U) r W 5 i MAPLE ST` North College Improvement Project Legend N Iq Bus Slops Project Area o ,� zao �0 �o ,.,� w E y �. Phase I-Jefferson to Poudre River Free; > Phase II- Poudre R. to Hickory/Conifer Intersection s n Off Street Path(Existing) 6/1/09 ATTACHMENT 2 North College Corridor Improvements - Phase II Bicycle/Pedestrian Options 12' 8' 5'-10' 6' 12' 8' 5'-10' 8' 12' 2' 5'-10' 8' 6'-8' TRAVEL LANE BIKE LANDSCAPE SIDEWALK TRAVEL LANE BIKE LANDSCAPE SIDEWALK TRAVEL LANE LANDSCAPE BIKE SIDEWALK LANE BUFFER LANE BUFFER BUFFER PATH s M �< a d r any i y .V On-Street Bike Lane with Sidewalk On-Street Bike Lane with Off-Street Bike Path adjacent Shared Use Sidewalk to Sidewalk Y� I - k A raq _4 I xw f-c 1�►� H Color or Material Off-Street Color or Material On-Street Bike Lane Traditional Striping Treatment Bike Path Treatments U Treatments for On-Street Bike Lane City of 'Fort Collins S-LOOW, aces ATTACHMENT 3 Landscaped Median n Formal/Eveply Spaced Planting Scheme . 1111i- J !- -. \ - Bike Lane `� `u4. If .4= North College Avenue � - - Bike Lane ' 71 r r Enlargement) i Pedestrian Refuge i Pedestrian Refuge Enhanced Pedestrian Crosswalks New Vine Dr. Intersection r� Decorative Corner Treatment 4 Ornamental Planting Street Furniture/Pedestrian Amenities Street Trees/Gro undcover uJNorth College Corridor Improvements: Alternative 1 - Traditional ® 7L77 City of Fort Collins, Colorado DESIGNW :1. 1 " P May 21,2Un9 Landscaped Median n Planting with Hardscape Continuation Scheme Bike Lane (See Enlargement) --------------------- Jr North College Avenue ri --------------------- , - Bike Lane z/If ttr d - C r ... ---------------------- r (See Enlargement) Location for Pedestrian Amenities Enhanced Pedestrian Crosswalks Street Tree in Grate New Vine Dr. Intersection Pedestrian Scaled Lighting Decorative Corner Treatment — 04Material change - indicates a visual and textural change in rhythm Location for Pedestrian Amenities Ornamental Planting Scheme Material Extension from Sidewalk �2North College Corridor Improvements : Alternative 2 - Material Enhanced ®7L7 City of Fort Collins, Colorado DESIGNWOP&SHOP May 21,2009 n Landscaped Median Native Species and Prairie Grass Scheme J y - Bike Lane North College Avenue e ------------------------------------------ Bike Lane r - - --------------------------------------------- - (See Enlargement) - Pedestrian Refuge fi Native Grass/Prairie Planting Pedestrian Scaled Lighting -- Bioswale/Rain Garden i _ Pedestrian Refuge Space with - - -r- - Architectural Wall/SeatingTieatment Enhanced Pedestrian Crosswalks - --� Street Trees Spaced Irregularly New Vine Dr. Intersection fr Porous Paving to Edge of Curb - Urban Treatment Decorative Corner Treatment U.jNorth College Corridor Improvements: Alternative 3 - Green Street ®ill City of Fort Collins, Colorado I DESlcivwORKSHO Mav 21.2009 Path to Observation Point Railroad Tie Landscape Feature Water Quality Basin/ Man-Made Wetlands Architectural Arbor and Art Piece Pedestrian Scaled �r Lighting Riparian Vegetation J Pedestrian Bike Lane r Bike Lane 0 A-Y Landscaped Median 'E , r Enhanced Pedestrian Crosswalks ro Architectural Bridge Existing Vine Intersection u.N) orth College Corridor Improvements: Park Entrance Between Vine Drive and Lake Canal ® 7L-7 %City of Fort Collins, Colorado DESIGNWORKSHOP May 21.2009 North College Improvements - Pha�s� �� Vine Drive to Hickory/Conifer Stree� City Council Work Session June 9�" 2009 Jennifer Petrik ATTACHMENT 4 Transportation Planner . 0 ! North College Improvements Project Presentation Outline • Project Location & Background • Need for project • Goals & Constraints 1 • What we've done so far • Funding & Schedule • Next Steps 2 Project Area r North �► °�°f 3 Project Origin - Building On Basics (BOB) '/a cent Sales � � Tax — Phase II •; �I S Building Community �� ,,, Choices - Phase I Tye a Stakeholders • Colorado Department of Transportation • North Fort Collins Business Association • Consultant Team lead by Stolfus & Associates • Technical Advisory Committee • City Council and Transportation Board • Property/Business owners and General Pu Lei li s Need for Project z Gateway from North ,c: �' a High pedestrian and � Via- bicycle usage r • High accident rate • Storm water issues 6 Existing Corridor Conditions • Existing Traffic Volumes Project Corridor — 26,000 ADT South of Jefferson — 18,200 ADT • Projected Traffic Volumes (2035) 45,000 ADT Bikes — 2.4% Large Trucks — 12% c�rt Collins CDOT Accident Data 2000-2004 • 132 Total Accidents • 87% Access-related Accidents • 33% Injury Accidents • 7.6% Bicycle Accidents • Hot spot accident locations — Jax — Hickory/Conifer — Autozone t — Vine Drive 8 Project Goal's • Begin Construction 2011 • Safety for all modes • Upgrade image of North College • Compatibility with previous planning efforts 4.,, • Phased Implementation Plan 9 Project Element: Improve Safety Fort Collins 10 Focus Area: Hickory/Conifer Intersection • High Accident Rate • Improve safety - Distance between signals W City or 11 Project Element: Access Management Define Driveways Consolidate Driveways s Q; 12 Additional Considerations • Funding source requirements • Define improvements by July 2009 • Right of Way acquisition December 2010 • State Highway Status • Access Management Plan - - • Poudre River Floodway 13 Current Stage of Project • Developing Alternatives to Address Project Goals ' • Review & Input From: t — Technical Advisory Committee • City & CDOT Staff — Public Meetings -` — Property/Business Fort Collins Owners 14 Project Element: Bicycle/Pedlest;rilarn Option On-street Bicycle Lane with sidewalk Cfty of °3 15 Project Element: Bicycle/Pedestrian Option On-street bicycle lane with shared use sidewalk N 16 Project Element: Bicycle/Pedestrian Option Off-street bicycle path next to sidewalk �F .4Moo awn 17 Project Element: Streetscape Themes • Natural/Outdoors • Cultural/Artistic City of Fort ltins 18 Project Element: Medians Use of Medians: • Safety • Image • Visual cue • Pedestrian Crossings City of Fort Collins rnative Roadway Designs � r �4 ,A n f V F�rt` Collins zo Ak Public Involvement -City Council -Bicycle Advisory Committee -Transportation Board -Planning and Zoning Board -Open Houses -North Fort Collins Business -Design Workshop Association -Commission on -Business/Property Owners Disabilities ty of Fo, mCott`s 21 Public Input to Date • Issues: .._ An — Safety — Bicycle & Pedestrian Access 71 — Streetscape/Landscape y s. — Preserve Existing Buildings — Business Access/Property Impacts �ft�n5 22 Public Input to Date • Comments: — Prefer Intermediate roadway option — Minimize median width — Include off-street bike paths l — Include detached sidewalk — Side by side left turn lanes — Outdoor/Natural and Cultural/Artistic theme City � f 23 W al" Funding 41, BOB $4.8 Million Federal $ 885,000 Total $5.6 Million Engineer's Estimate $13 to $17 Million Gap $7.4 to $11.4 Million 24 ��rtrl North College Infrastructure Funding Plan • Long term funding plan • Lead by Advance Planning Department • North College Urban Renewal Authority • Phasing and Implementation Plan August 2009 • "Vision" Plan vs. "Fiscally Constrained" Plan • Priority List of Future Projects ' rt�n5 2s Schedule -Conceptual Design Mar 2009-Aug 2009 -Preliminary and Final Aug 2009-Mar 2010 Design -Right of Way Mar 2010 — Dec 2010 -Begin Construction 2011 City of 26 Next Steps • Develop Recommended Preferred Alternative • Project presentations: Transportation Board in July City Council in June & July • Coordination: City Departments, CDOT, TAC and NFCBA • Phased Implementation Plan Complete: August 2009 • Preliminary Design Begins: August 2009 27 ATTACHMENT 5 Transportation Board DRAFT Regular Meeting Minutes Page 7 May 20, 2009 c. North College Improvement Project—Jennifer Petrik,Transportation Planner OOOV Phase II is on schedule,the conceptual decision began March 2009 will go through August and then moves to preliminary and final engineering scheduled from August to March 2010, right of way acquisition is scheduled from March 2010 until December 2010, with final construction in 2011. Public involvement includes working with, North Fort Collins Business Association (NFCBA), Community Open Houses, Design Workshop, City Council, Transportation Board, Bicycle Advisory Committee, the Planning& Zoning Board, and local business and property owners. The project goal is to have construction begin in 2011 creating a safe and effective travel rridor, supporting p., . the economic viability in the project area, upgrade North College image, and maintain cow tiF hty to the existing facilities in the area. At the end of the conceptual period there will be a phased in ifnpl'ementation. Some of the project constraints include adherence to the BOB ballot language whic in Ludes bringing the sidewalks up to arterial standards from Vine to Conifer; adding curb and gutter ddition of bike lanes and also adhering to the federal funds language defining improvements completon4b July 09. Right of way transactions must be completed by December 2010 in order to stay on chedule College as a State Highway contains certain constraints with large truck usage. The access management plan includes short term and long term improvements. Poudre river floodway is south of the prof must fulfill all state water quality requirements. { The implementation plan has a conceptual design and a Ily�?Qstraine design, meaning what we can build with the funds we have now. As funds become available get funds toward mixed integrated construction until the corridor is completed. We by $5.6 milti�ollars of secured funds for the project at this time, with a funding gap of$7.4 to$1 1.4 millio, del'axe, We)re applying for some funds from the MPO. Accident Reports for this area are a total : 7.6% re bike accidents, rear end collisions are the most prevalent. Safety is a high priority ite =, fetydar bikes ind pedestrian. From the design workshop whichs��%m ty design some of the highlights included alley connections, off street versus on street bik. -tines, off et pp ing options, higher density zoning;and park options. At the o en house on Ma 2l"will Pr alternative designs: I" option Larimer Count Street Options), Y P g ( Y 2nd intermediate opti grower side' s with larger bike lane and the 3`� minimum option (narrower sidewalks and narrovY a lanes). Elements used in the design were sidewalk, bike and pedestrian options. Shane Miller: h Zlea of moving bike lanes adjacent to the street would that include raising bike lanes? Jenny Petrk: Te bike path would be level with the sidewalk. Ed Rob rt ike lanes on streets would encourage riders to just use pedestrian sidewalks. Garry ee would like to place a preference for bike and pedestrian shared lanes away from traffic. Kip McCauly: Can you provide the breakdown of users? Jenny Petrik: Kip McCauly: Will the Hickory spur be tied into the development in anyway? Jenny Petrik: This has been asked in other discussions, but BOB states what we will work towards. Garry Steen: Have you looked at the costs of the different options? Jenny Petrik: Not at this time. Bill Jenkins: How do you determine existing traffic and projected future traffic volumes? Mark Jackson: This is based on forecast bands of local traffic,travel demand models and compare with the CDOT model. A capital city index traffic study is being done and will become the standard on all projects. The website is www.fcgov.com/nortlicollege